Thomas E. Rittgers (1923-2011)
RITTGERS, TRISSEL, CLIPSON, EMMERT, PEITZMAN, MILLER, KNERR
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/8/2012 at 18:19:09
From Bacon Funeral Home & Crematory obituary, Nevada and Maxwell, Story County, Iowa:
Thomas E. Rittgers
December 11, 1923 - December 31, 2011
Ames, IowaSurrounded by the singing of his loving family and harp music played by his granddaughter, the soul of Thomas E. Rittgers departed from his earthly body on Saturday, December 31, at age 88. He was under hospice and family care at Northcrest Retirement Community in Ames, IA, where he lived with his wife of 63 years, Phyllis Clipson Rittgers.
Thomas Eugene Rittgers was born December 11, 1923, in Grimes, IA. His parents, John H. Rittgers and Gretchen (Trissel) Rittgers, preceded him in death along with his siblings Eleanor Rittgers, John H. Rittgers, Jr., and Laura Peitzman Emmert.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Mark (Cheryl) of Ames, IA, and Hugh of Bollingbrook, IL. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Chad, Aaron, Rebekah (Curtiss) Miller, Daniel and Sarah (Benjamin) Knerr; nine great grandchildren, and hundreds of other relatives and friends.
Tom was graduated from Grimes High School and attended Drake University for two years before transferring to Iowa State University where he was graduated with honors, receiving a BS in Agricultural Economics.
Following 13 years of farming in Dallas and Marshall Counties and completing his education, he was employed by Hertz Farm Management for 33 years. He retired in 1989 after serving five years as president of the company.
As an Accredited Farm Manager he was a 50 year member of The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He also was a 50 year member and past president of the Iowa chapter, and a 40 year member of the Lions Club.
A 75 year member of the Presbyterian Church (USA), he served as an ordained Elder, an ordained Deacon, a trustee and a Sunday School teacher. He was involved at both the local and national levels of the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Westminster Foundation Board.
With his keen sense of humor, he made hundreds of friends worldwide through his involvement in Friendship Force. Tom was a faithful Christian, a dedicated husband, a devoted father, and grandfather. His life values and the living out of his beliefs were blessings to all who knew him. His Spirit lives on!
Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames, IA. Interment will be in the Rittgers Cemetery in Johnston, IA. Visitation will be 6:30 – 8:00 PM Thursday at the Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made the Collegiate Presbyterian Church.
http://baconfuneralhomes.com/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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